HCP Progress Report for April 2024

Heritage Carriages Project - Progress Report April 2024

Development of the Washford workshops has contnued. We have also contnued work on 6705.
For the Washford workshops, we have:

Positioned our new table saw and planer thicknesser in the ground floor workshop and
connected them to the dust extraction system.
A Dust extraction connection has been installed ready for the arrival of a new bandsaw,
which has now been ordered.
Booked PSSR test for the compressed air system – scheduled for May 22nd.
Connections between the vacuum pump and
the carriage have now been improved and now
no longer leak.

Timber racking is under construction for the
storage of our timber supplies.
The mitre saw in the mezzanine workshop has
been connected to the dust extraction system.
We have now removed all our inventory from
the Portakabin office and old wood shop at
Williton.
We have placed a banner on the outside of the
workshop facing Washford station pla1orm announcing our carriage restoration activity at Washford.

Work has continued on 6705:
- Both sides of 6705 below the windows have now been stripped and prepared for
  painting.
- Vacuum testng is now proceeding step-by-step through the carriage vacuum system
  to discover and rectify all leaking joints.
- Some of the guttering has been removed which reveals considerable corrosion and
  evidence of water ingress.
- Two 2.4m staging sections have been completed to form a 4.8m assembly complete
  with steps and balustrades. A second 4.8m staging assembly is now well underway to
  provide safe access on the other side of the carriage.

Plans for May 2024

Washford
- Complete installation of ducting for dust extractor.
- Complete build of racking for Timber storage.
- Complete last two staging sections to enable safe working on 6705.
- Have air compressor system tested and certified.
- Assess evidence of water ingress from leaking gutter and determine suitable fix for this.
- Plan for move of container and 9037 body from Williton.

2. Safety Documentary

Work to connue on our documentation set, focusing now to include machine-specific risk assessments
prioritized in the order the machines are likely to be implemented in the Washford workshops. We will also develop proposals for a workshop safety training course for our volunteers.

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Learning and Education Officer

July 29, 2026

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

LEARNING AND EDUCATION OFFICER

We are seeking a professional and experienced person to fill this key role within the WSR Heritage Trust. This is a flexible [12 hours per week] paid role, based at WSR Bishops Lydeard Station.

This exciting role embraces developing and administering: the Schools Programme engaging with younger learners; the Families Offer of family focussed activities and events related to our museums; and developing the Outdoor Offer for community learning at our locations.

You will lead, develop and manage a small volunteer learning team, to optimise our programme and activity delivery.

Reporting to the Vice Chairman/Company Secretary, you will have a professional and policy link to the Trustee – Museum Collections and Learning and close working with the Museum Curator. You will provide regular reports to the Trust Board and contribute to the Trust Newsletter and the Learning and Education Programme.

Applicants should be suitably qualified with a degree or equivalent, or work experience in Teaching and Learning; knowledge of KS1/2 History and Science, together with experience of delivering learning programmes, and extensive IT skills.

The postholder should have strong leadership and organisational skills and communicate effectively at all levels.

Please contact john.robinson@wsrht.co.uk for further details and an information pack. Completed application forms together with a CV should be forwarded to him by not later than 17 August 2026. For an informal discussion about the role then please contact Steve Williams Vice Chairman and Company Secretary either on 07748-637209 or email steve@williamsemail.uk.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust Registered Charity No. 265564 Registered Office: The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard Taunton, Somerset. TA4 3BX

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Join us as a Museum Volunteer.

May 6, 2026

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

DO YOU:

Love a bit of history?

Enjoy chatting to people?

Happy to work with children and families?

Keen on the WSR and its heritage?

If you’ve nodded “yes” to any of the above, we’d love you to join us as a museum volunteer.

Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor

We’re looking for volunteer stewards for the Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor Station on running days during the school holidays and for special events.

You’ll have an induction period alongside a mentor, and we’re very happy to arrange part-day shifts.

The role is simple: welcome visitors, share a little about the museum, and work alongside the station staff.

Interested (or just curious)? Please email Ian Camp (Curator) via info@wsrht.co.uk and put “Blue Anchor stewarding” in the subject line.

Fancy getting involved over at Bishops Lydeard?

We’re on the lookout for more friendly faces to join our team, especially as the museum is getting bigger and busier these days!

If Bishops Lydeard sounds like your kind of place, just drop us a line using the same email, but pop “Bishops Lydeard stewarding” in the subject so we know what you’re after!

And don’t forget – you can always support the WSRHT by becoming a member. Just ping us at info@wsrht.co.uk and pop “membership” in the subject line.

Keep up with what we’re doing, follow the Trust on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeritageTrust

WSR Heritage Trust Appointment of Trust Fundraiser

May 6, 2026

The Trust has appointed Jessica Rundle as its new volunteer Fundraiser. Jess is an existing Trust volunteer working in both the Gauge Museum and within the Education and Learning team. She is an Occupational Therapist by profession and is currently a Service Manager with Somerset Council. Her experience in report writing and business case development together with the networking and engagement required provides the right skill set for this role. The Trust has an ambitious capital programme within its recently updated Business Plan and raising external funds will be crucial to enabling the charity to achieve its medium-term business objectives.

Steve Williams Trust Vice Chairman and Company Secretary said “I’m delighted that Jess has agreed to take up this role. She has an impressive CV and is already familiar with the Trust and its work. I have no doubt that she will be a valuable asset in enabling us to source a wide range of external funding to complement the investment that the Trust intends to make in future projects”.

Jess Rundle said “ Bishops Lydeard station was one of the first places I stumbled across after moving to Somerset a couple years ago and I was quickly welcomed into the committed team of volunteers in to the Gauge museum. For me there is nothing better than watching a steam train in action – it brings relaxation and stimulation in equal measure! I know so many aspects of West Somerset heritage railway brings equal joy to so many others and so I’m delighted to be supporting with the fundraising programme.”

The appointment commences from 1st May. This is a part-time role reporting to the Vice Chairman.

For further details please contact Steve Williams at steve@williamsemail.uk or on 07748-637209

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